Device for providing fluid communication between two sealed vessels

ABSTRACT

A device for providing fluid communication between two sealed vessels to allow the contents of the vessels to be mixed together in one of the vessels without having to break the seal. The device is particularly useful in the medical field where it is extremely important to maintain a sterile environment when mixing substances together. The device comprises two cannula members disconnectably attached to each other, one of the cannula members being insertable into one of the vessels through the sealed opening thereof and the other of the cannula members being insertable in the other of the two vessels through its sealed opening. Each of the two cannula members comprises an air passageway and a liquid passageway. The liquid passageways of the two cannula members communicate with each other to provide a means of fluid communication between the two vessels. Further, after the ingredients of the two vessels have been mixed together in one of the vessels, the fluid passageway of the cannula member associated with that vessel provides a means for withdrawing the mixture therefrom. A plug is attached to the cannula member of the vessel containing the mixture to close the fluid passageway therein when the vessel containing the mixture is stored.

United States Patent Peltier 1 May 27, 1975 SEALED VESSELS [76] Inventor: Richard I. Peltier, 2148 Painted Post Dr., Flushing, Mich. 48433 [22] Filed: Nov. 16, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 416,404

[52] US. Cl. 141/329; 128/272; 141/309 [51] Int. Cl B65d 47/12; B67d 3/04; B670 3/26 [58] Field of Search 141/19, 311, 309, 319, 141/330, 329, 346, 363, 364, 368, 379, 383, 386, 391, 348; 128/218 M, 218 G, 218 S, 247, 272

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,718,593 6/1929 Smith 128/272 2,724,383 11/1955 Lockhart 128/272 2,973,758 3/1961 Murrish 141/330 3,059,643 10/1962 Barton 141/330 3,343,538 9/1967 Morley.... 141/363 3,484,849 12/1969 I-Iuebner et a1. 128/272 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 5/1956 France ..128/272 [57] ABSTRACT A device for providing fluid communication between two sealed vessels to allow the contents of the vessels to be mixed together in one of the vessels without having to break the seal. The device is particularly useful in the medical field where it is extremely important to maintain a sterile environment when mixing substances together. The device comprises two cannula members disconnectably attached to each other, one of the cannula members being insertable into one of the vessels through the sealed opening thereof and the other of the cannula members being insertable in the other of the two vessels through its sealed opening. Each of the two cannula members comprises an air passageway and a liquid passageway. The liquid passageways of the two cannula members communicate with each other to provide a means of fluid communication between the two vessels. Further, after the ingredients of the two vessels have been mixed together in one of the vessels, the fluid passageway of the cannula member associated with that vessel provides a means for withdrawing the mixture therefrom. A plug is attached to the cannula member of the vessel containing the mixture to close the fluid passageway therein when the vessel containing the mixture is stored.

DEVICE FOR PROVIDING FLUID COMMUNICATION BETWEEN TWO SEALED VESSELS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to fluid handling, and more particularly to systems in which a flow passage leads from one receptacle to another receptacle in series.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the medical field today, particularly in hospitals where there are many patients, it is required that medication be custom mixed to suit the particular needs of a particular patient, or a small number of patients. In addition, a number of medicaments may have an application among a greater number of patients but have a short shelf or storage life, whereas the components of that medicament separately may have a substantial storage life.

There are previously known devices for providing fluid communication between two sealed vessels in order to mix their contents in one of the vessels, thus maintaining a pre-existing sterile environment interior to the vessel. However, the previously known devices address themselves solely to transferring the contents of one sealed vessel to the interior of another sealed vessel, but do not approach the problem of storing the mixture contained in one of the sealed vessels after mixing, nor the problem of easily and conveniently gaining access to the mixture in the vessel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to, and solves the problems connected with providing a fluid communication between two sealed vessels so that the contents may be mixed in one of the vessels without breaking the seal, storing the mixture of the contents in one of the sealed vessels and gaining access to the interior of the vessel containing the mixture so that the mixture can be used. I

The usual method of administering liquid medicaments is by a syringe and injecting the medicament into the body of the patient. It is important that each syringe be quickly and efficiently filled.

It is therefore a primary objective of the present invention to provide a device for providing fluid communication between two sealed vessels so that the components of a particular'medicament may be mixed together in a sterile environment and, in addition, to provide a device enabling the mixture of the components from the two vessels to be stored in such a manner as to maintain the sterile environment without having to transfer that mixture to another vessel, and to a device which provides for the quick'and efficient filling of a syringe from the container containing the mixture.

The device of the present invention is comprised of two cannula members each having a pointed end, and a means for connecting them together disposed at the opposite. end. Furthermore, each cannula member comprises an air passageway and a fluid passageway. A filter media is disposed over an opening of the air passageway to the ambient environment to prevent contaminants from entering the vessel. In addition, a plug is connected by a strap to one of the cannula members.

After the two cannula members are inserted into their respective vessels, that portion of the cannula members exterior to the vessels are connected together such that the fluid passageways communicate with each other to form in effect a continuous fluid passageway between the interior of the vessels.

It is apparent that in the alternative the cannula members can be secured together. The distal end of the first cannula member is inserted into the first vessel. That vessel then can be set on its base and the stopper of the second vessel would be punctured by the distal end of the second cannula member. The assembly can then be inverted to permit free flow of fluid, by gravity, from the first vessel into the second vessel.

After the contents of the vessels have been mixed together in one of the vessels, the cannula members are disconnected from each other and the empty vessel and its associated cannula member are discarded. The fluid passageway in the cannula member of the vessel containing the mixture now provides an opening to the interior of the vessel for the quick and efficient insertion of the lever adapter of the syringe into the vessel to extract a measured amount of medicament therefrom without having to go through any additional manipulations, such as removing the cannula member and replacing it with a device which would allow access to the contents. After the measured amount of medicament is removed using the syringe, the plug is inserted into the opening into the fluid passageway of the cannula member, thus closing it, so that the sterile interior of the vessel is maintained during storage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of the invention reference is made to the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment thereof in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. l,is a sectional view of the invention providing fluid communication between two sealed vessels;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 but excluding the vessels;

FIG. 3 is a view of the device of FIG. 1 as seen from line 3-3 of FIG. l but excluding the vessels; and

FIG. 4 is a view of the device of FIG. 1 taken along line 44 of FIG. 3. a

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The FIGS. illustrate a device 10 for providing fluid communication between a first vessel 12 and a second vessel 14. The first, or top, vessel 12 contains a liquid substance to be mixed with a solid or liquid substance contained in the second, or bottom, vessel 14. The device for providing fluid communication between two sealed vessels is shown as comprising a first cannula member 16 removably connected to a second cannula member 18. When connected together, the first cannula member 16 and the second cannula member 18 have coaxially disposed longitudinal axes.

The first cannula member 16 is generally cylindrical and comprises a pointed end 20, a radially projecting flange 22 integrally formed at the opposite end of the first cannula member 16 from the pointed end 20, an air passageway 24 and a liquid passageway 26. The radially extended flange 22 could also be made as a separate component and glued, or otherwise attached, to the first cannula member 16.

The second cannula member 18 is also generally cylindrical and comprises a pointed end 28, a radially extending flange 30 integrally formed at the opposite end of the second cannula member 18 from the pointed end 28, an air passageway 32, and a liquid passageway 34. As in the case of the radially extending flange 22, the flange 30 may also be formed as a separate component and glued, or otherwise attached, to the second cannula member 18.

Means for removably connecting the first cannula member 16 to the second cannula member 18, generally denoted as 36, is disposed at the ends of the can- 7 nula members opposite the pointed ends and 28, respectively. The removable connecting means 36 comprises an open cavity 38 formed in the second cannula member 18 and an extension member 40, complementary in shape to the open cavity 38, projecting from the end of the first cannula member 16. The extension member 40 is receivable in the open cavity 38. The extension member 40 is preferably frusto-conical in shape, tapering outwardly from the first cannula member 16, and is disposed coaxially therewith. The open cavity 38 is also frusto-conical in shape, tapering inwardly of the second cannula member 18 and is disposed coaxial therewith. It is also contemplated, however, that the frusto-conical projection 40 could project from the second cannula member 18 and the frusto-conical cavity 38 be formed in the first cannula member 16. a

The air passageway 24 has a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first cannula member 16 and comprises two spaced apart openings 42 and 44. The opening 42 is disposed in proximity to the pointed end 20 and the opening 44 is disposed in proximity to the flange 22. A non-wettable dust cover 46, formed of a fine filter media, is located over the opening 44 into the air passageway 24. The filtered dust cover 46 allows the passage of air therethrough and into the first passageway 24, but prevents contaminants from entering.

The liquid passageway 26 has a longitudinal axis generally inclined to the longitudinal axis of the first cannula member 16, and comprises two spaced apart openings 48 and 50. The opening 48 is spaced a distance from the flange 22 in a longitudinal direction of the first cannula member 16 and the other opening 50 is located at the free end of the frusto-conical extension member 40. The opening 50 is generally centered in the first cannula member 16. The liquid passageway 26 further comprises a pocket 27 formed adjacent the opening 48 which encourages fluid flow into the second aperture 26 by providing an increased throat area for the ingress of fluid and provides a pocket for air trapped in the liquid passageway 26, thus preventing an air lock from being formed in the liquid passageway 26.

The air passageway 32 is disposed with its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second cannula member 18, and comprises two spaced apart openings 54 and 56. The opening 54 is disposed in proximity to the radially extending flange 30. A non-wettable dust cover 58, formed of a fine filter media which allows the passage of air therethrough and into the air passageway 32, is located over the opening 56.

The liquid passageway 34 has a longitudinal axis inclined to the longitudinal axis of the second cannula member 18, and comprises two spaced apart openings 60 and 62. The opening 60 is disposed at the bottom wall of the frusto-conical cavity 38, generally centered in the second cannula member 18, and the opening 62 is spaced from the radially extending flange 30 in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the second cannula member 18.

In practice, it has been determined that a length of 2% inches from the pointed ends 20, 28 to the flanges 22, 30, respectively. and a distance of 4 inches from the flanges 22, 30 to the openings 48, 62, respectively, into the second apertures 26, 34, respectively, works well.

The second cannula member 18 further comprises a plug 51 having a generally frusto-conical shape substantially identical to the frusto-conical shape of the extension member 40 which is attached to the flange 30 by a flexible strap 53. The purpose of the plug 51 is to close the opening 60 into the liquid passageway 34 when the first and second cannula members are separated, as will hereinafter be discussed. In the event that the projection 40 projects from the second cannula member 18 instead of the first cannula member 16, the plug 51 would be cup-shaped to fit over the extension 40 to close the passageway 34.

When the first and second cannula members are connected together (see FIGS. 1 and 3), the opening 50 into the liquid passageway 26 and the opening 60 into the liquid passageway 34 are generally coaxially disposed and provide a means for fluid communication between the liquid passageways 26 and 34 and, thus, the vessels 12 and 14.

The first cannula member 16 and the second cannula member 18 are joined together by inserting the frustoconical extension member 40 into the complementary shaped frusto-conical cavity 38 such that the radially extending flanges 22 and 30 abut one another. The radially extending flanges 22 and 30 produce a more stable connection by providing an increased area of contact between the two cannula members.

Further, because the opening 50 of the liquid passageway 26 and the opening 60 into the liquid passageway 34 are each disposed on the centerlines of their respective cannula members, they will be coaxial regardless of the radial orientation of the cannula members with respect to one another.

Referring to FIG. 1, the top vessel 12 contains a sterile solvent, the opening into the top vessel is closed by a stopper 64, and the bottom vessel 14 contains a sterile liquid or solid, the opening into the bottom vessel is closed by a stopper 66. The object is to mix the sterile materials in the vessels 12 and 14 without contaminating either of them or their mixture, and without removing the stoppers 64 and 66. To accomplish this, the first cannula member 16 is inserted in the vessel 12 through the stopper 64 by placing the pointed end 20 against the stopper 64 and pushing the cannula member 16 axially such that the opening 44 is located outside of the vessel 12 and the opening 48 is located inside the vessel 12. Likewise, the second cannula member 18 is inserted into the bottom vessel 14 through the stopper 66 in the same manner and positioned therein such that the opening 56 is located outside of the vessel 14 and the opening 62 is located inside the vessel 14. The first and second cannula members 16 and 18 are then joined together as described hereinabove, thus providing a fluid communication between the vessels through the liquid passageways 26 and 34.

As described heretofore the stoppers 64 and 66 of the vessels 12 and 14, respectively, can be punctured by the cannula members 16 and 18 while the cannula members are joined.

Liquid flow throughthe passageways 26. and'34 is promoted by the fact that the air pressure in the vessels l2 and 14 is at ambient due tothe fact that theair passageways 24 and 32 fluidly,connect the interior of the vessels 12 and 14, respectively, with the ambient environment. g

After the ingredients of the two vessels 12 and 14 have been mixed, the two vessels are separated by separating the first cannula member 16 from the second cannula member 18. This is accomplished by merely removing the frusto-conically shaped extension member 40 from the frusto-conically shaped open cavity 38. The liquid passageway 34 of the second cannula member 18 now provides a passageway for the insertion therethrough of the lever adapter of a syringe into the vessel 14, allowing one to fill the syringe with the mixture of the two ingredients without the necessity of removing the second cannula member 18.

In order to maintain the sterile condition interior to the vessel 14 when the mixture is stored, the frustoconically shaped plug 51 is inserted into the frustoconically shaped open cavity 38, thus closing the opening 60 into the passageway 34. When it is desired to again fill a syringe from the vessel 14, the plug 51 is removed from the cavity 38.

The device can be manufactured from almost any material, however, the material should be capable of being sterilized. Preferably, the device is formed of a plastic material.

The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitation should be understood therefrom for modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for providing fluid communication between two sealed vessels, comprising: a first cannula member, said first cannula member having an air passageway and a liquid passageway, said passageways extending longitudinally wherein one end of said air passageway is longitudinally displaced from the corresponding end of said liquid passageway; a second cannula member, said second cannula member having an air passageway and a liquid passageway, said passageways of said second cannula member extending longitudinally wherein one end of said air passageway is longitudinally displaced from the corresponding end of said liquid passageway; means for removably connecting said first cannula member to said second cannula member with said liquid passageways in registry whereby the liquid passageway of said first cannula member communicates with the liquid passageway of said second cannula member.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said liquid passageway of said first cannula member has an opening to the wall of said first cannula member and another opening to said means for removably connecting said first cannula member to said second cannula member; and

said liquid passageway of said second cannula member has an opening to the wall of said second cannula member and another opening to said means for removably connecting said first cannula member to said second cannula member.

3. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for removably connecting said first cannula member to said second cannula member comprises:

an open cavity defined in one of said cannula members; and i i an extension member complementary in shape to said open cavity, projecting from the other of said cannula members, said extension being received in said cavity to removably connect said first cannula member to said second cannula member. 4. A device as defined in claim 3, wherein: said defined passageway in said other cannula member opens to said means for removably connected said first and second cannula members at the free end of said extension; and

said liquid passageway in said one cannula member opens to said means for removably connecting said first and second cannula members at the bottom wall of said open cavity.

5. A device as defined in claim 4, wherein:

said extension member is generally frusto-conical in shape tapering outwardly from said other cannula member; and

said cavity is generally frusto-conical in shape tapering inwardly of said other cannula member.

6. A device as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a first flange connected to and disposed around said' first cannula member proximate one end thereof,

the plane of said first flange being generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said first cannula member; and

a second flange connected to and disposed around said second cannula member proximate one end thereof, the plane of said second flange being generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said second cannula member,

such that when said first and second cannula members are connected together said first and second flanges are disposed in relative abutting juxtaposition.

7. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said first cannula member further comprises one pointed end;

said air passageway in said first cannula member has an opening to the wall of said first cannula member proximate said pointed end;

said air passageway in said first cannula member has another opening to the wall of said first cannula member spaced from said first mentioned opening;

said second cannula member further comprises one pointed end;

said air passageway in said second cannula member has an opening to the wall of said cannula member proximate said pointed end; and

said air passageway in said second cannula member has another opening in said cannula member to the wall of said second cannula member spaced from said first mentioned opening.

8. A device as defined in claim 7, further comprising:

a filter media disposed over said other opening of said air passageway of said first cannula member; and

11. A device as defined in claim 3, further compris 8 ing:

a plug having a shape complementary to said open cavity, and being selectively insertable into said cavity; and

a flexible strap connected at one of its ends to said cannula member having said cavity, and connected at its other end to said plug thereby connecting said plug to said cannula member having said cavity.

12. A device as defined in claim 2, further comprising a pocket formed in said liquid passageway of said first cannula member adjacent said first mentioned opening to the wall of said first cannula member. 

1. A device for providing fluid communication between two sealed vessels, comprising: a first cannula member, said first cannula member having an air passageway and a liquid passageway, said passageways extending longitudinally wherein one end of said air passageway is longitudinally displaced from the corresponding end of said liquid passageway; a second cannula member, said second cannula member having an air passageway and a liquid passageway, said passageways of said second cannula member extending longitudinally wherein one end of said air passageway is longitudinally displaced from the corresponding end of said liquid passageway; means for removably connecting said first cannula member to said second cannula member with said liquid passageways in registry whereby the liquid passageway of said first cannula member communicates with the liquid passageway of said second cannula member.
 2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein: said liquid passageway of said first cannula member has an opening to the wall of said first cannula member and another opening to said means for removably connecting said first cannula member to said second cannula member; and said liquid passageway of said second cannula member has an opening to the wall of said second cannula member and another opening to said means for removably connecting said first cannula member to said second cannula member.
 3. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for removably connecting said first cannula member to said second cannula member comprises: an open cavity defined in one of said cannula members; and an extension member complementary in shape to said open cavity, projecting from the other of said cannula members, said extension being received in said cavity to removably connect said first cannula member to said second cannula member.
 4. A device as defined in claim 3, wherein: said defined passageway in said other cannula member opens to said means for removably connected said first and second cannula members at the free end of said extension; and said liquid passageway in said one cannula member opens to said means for removably connecting said first and second cannula members at the bottom wall of said open cavity.
 5. A device as defined in claim 4, wherein: said extension member is generally frusto-conical in shape tapering outwardly from said other cannula member; and said cavity is generally frusto-conical in shape tapering inwardly of said other cannula member.
 6. A device as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a first flange connected to and disposed around said first cannula member proximate one end thereof, the plane of said first flange being generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said first cannula member; and a second flange connected to and disposed around said second cannula member proximate one end thereof, the plane of said second flange being generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said second cannula member, such that when said first and second cannula members are connected together said first and second flanges are disposed in relative abutting juxtaposition.
 7. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein: said first cannula member further comprises one pointed end; said air passageway in said first cannula member has an opening to the wall of said first cannula member proximate said pointed end; said air passageway in said first cannula member has another opening to the wall of said first cannula member spaced from said first mentioned opening; said second cannula member further comprises one pointed end; said air passageway in said second cannula member has an opening to the wall of said cannula member proximate said pointed end; and said air passageway in said second cannula member has another opening in said cannula member to the wall of said second cannula member spaced from said first mentioned opening.
 8. A device as defined in claim 7, further comprising: a filter media disposed over said other opening of said air passageway of said first cannula member; and a filter media disposed over said other open end of said air passageway of said second cannula member.
 9. A device as defined in claim 7, wherein: said liquid passageway of said first cannula member is inclined to the longitudinal axis of said first cannula member; and said liquid passageway of said second cannula member is inclined to the longitudinal axis of said second cannula member.
 10. A device as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for selectively opening and closing said liquid passageway in said second cannula member.
 11. A device as defined in claim 3, further comprising: a plug having a shape complementary to said open cavity, and being selectively insertable into said cavity; and a flexible strap connected at one of its ends to said cannula member having said cavity, and connected at its other end to said plug thereby connecting said plug to said cannula member having said cavity.
 12. A device as defined in claim 2, further comprising a pocket formed in said liquid passageway of said first cannula member adjacent said first mentioned opening to the wall of said first cannula member. 